Frank Herzog Purchase advice Mercedes /8 200-280 E (W114 /W115)
11.01.2018
The /8 ('Stricht-Acht') is the first series of the Mercedes more than one Has sold a million copies. The middle class series presented on January 9 and 10, 1968 inherited the H corner fin (W110) and put an end to the standard body for small and large series of the tail fin. At least four- and six-cylinder should be differentiated more clearly: That didn't happen, what remained are the different series abbreviations: W114 is the name of the six-cylinder and therefore also all coupé, the four-cylinder, with its lifelong simplicity, and the five-cylinder diesel (240D 3.0) are called W 115.
Stroke-eight with new diagonal swing axle
The series introduced in 1968 is known by its nickname, which is derived from the year of publication: Stroke-eight. In some points the modernly designed car is even the more expensive S-Class (W108) superior: While the expensive models with the' S 'at the rear still have the rear wheels on a swing axle Mercedes designed a trailing arm rear axle for the Stroke Eight. They are then very diplomatically called “diagonal swing axles” in order not to put the larger series in a technical position.
Brand essence: safe and comfortable
In auto motor und sport 4/1968 is about the types 200 and 250: 'The wet and icy Hockenheimring confirmed the experiences made on the Targa-Florio track: the driving stability has been significantly improved with the new axle'. The front wheels have double wishbones. Both axles are connected to the body via subframes with soft rubber mounts, which ensures quiet and comfortable driving. The dash-8 is safe because it has disc brakes on all four wheels and has to prove in 26 accident attempts that it can protect its occupants. According to Mercedes, it exceeds the requirements of the US standard - with 30 miles per hour and 100 percent coverage against the wall.
Motors from 55 to 185 hp
One reason for its successThe Strich-Acht is its diversity: it may seem modest today, but the sedan, coupé and versions with an extended wheelbase already result in three body variants - at that time there were no station wagons and SUVs at Mercedes-Benz. In addition, there is an enormous range of engines with which the character of the sedan can be increased from tranquil to frenzy: If the 200D dies with a leisurely 55 hp, the 280E already 200 km /H. If you want to buy a /8 today, you may no longer be subject to the economic constraints of first-time buyers, who often indulged in “their Mercedes” from hard savings and paid cash. Theoretically, that extends the selection - after all, 1.9 million were built - if it weren't for the rust and other calamities that reduced the stock. But there are still enough left over: The Stroke-Eight is one of the most common and popular classic cars.
